This year marks the 250th anniversary of Baccarat, the undisputed paramount crystalworks in the world. Founded in 1734 in the town of Baccarat, Lorrainne with the permission of Louis XV of France, the Baccarat company began its illustrious reign as glassmakers to royalty. In 1823, Baccarat received its first royal commission, which was followed by requests from around the world, “including Tsar Nicholas II, the emperor of Japan, and various maharajahs.”
Perhaps most popularly known for their lovely millefiore works, Baccarat’s real legend was built on masterworks such as the 1840 “Zenith chandelier,” which paved the way for a magnificent era in Parisian lighting, and the reign of colored crystalworks from renowned Baccarat designer George Chevalier, which began in 1916, and ushered Baccarat into modern times.
The magnificent pieces in this post are representative of Chevalier’s aesthetic. From kings to stars, Baccarat began to design for celebrities such as Josephine Baker and worked with artists such as Salvador Dali. Baccarat works have graced royal dining rooms, lavish parties, and sanctified museums around the world, encompassing the entire spectrum of the upper echelons of society for over two centuries. To learn more about the exquisite pieces featured in this post, reach out to Intertrus.
